“We’re
very pleased to achieve [initial operational capability] on schedule,”
said Capt. Mike Ladner, the major program manager of Surface Ship Weapons,
whose portfolio includes SM-6. “The SM-6, with its ability to
extend the battle space, truly improves shipboard air defense capability.
I’m very proud of the entire Standard Missile team on this historic
achievement.”

SM-6 has entered full rate production and the program has already delivered
50 missiles ahead of schedule and under budget. Follow-on test and evaluation
will continue in 2013 and 2014 to validate the integrated fire control
capability in an operationally realistic environment.